Composite matrix for printing plates



April 16, 1935. G. ROSENQvls-r v1,997,875

COMTOSTTE MATRIX FOR PRINTING PLATES Filed Jan. 2, 1932 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR G. Rosi-:NQvls-r COMPOSITE MATRIX FOR PRINTING PLATES PIES. y l [15 FIG. 7

INvENToR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 may Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNIT-15D` STATES PATENTVOFFICE COMPOSITE MATRIX FOR PRINTING PLATES Gunnar Rosenqvist, akmont, Pa.

Application January 2, 1932', Serial' No. 584,473

4 claims. (ci. 154-465) i This invention relates to matrices utilized for designated by the reference character 2, and a making electro-type plates by galvano-plastic plurality of alternate layers of wax or other plasprocess, andit is among the objects thereof to tic material 3 and relatively YAthin sheets of provide a method of making composite matrices brous material 4, the latter being impregnated of laminated form which shall eliminate the tediwith the wax; and a flnal top layer 3 of wax, the 5 ous methods of making such matrices from Wax wax layers and fibrous sheet material being relacnly as heretofore practiced and which requires tively thin, and are shown of large size in the numerous heating and shaving operations that drawings for purpose of illustration only. are eliminated by the present process. l' The assembled composite laminated body of A further object of the invention is the method Figure 1 is utilized in making matrices for electrol0 Y of forming the imprint on the matrix -in a mantype plates in the following manner.v

ner to obtain perfect reproduction of the zinc or A retaining frame 5 is placed upon a pressure copper etching and the printing type on the platenl and a supporting block l and printing matrix surface on which the electro-deposit is types 8 are assembled in the frame 5, the block l5 made to constitute the electro-type plate.. 1 supporting a zinc or copper etching 9 which 15 Still a further. object of the invention is the together with the type 8 constitutes the element method of making the composite matrix of layfrom which thereproduction is to be made. ers of brous sheet material and a plastic ma- The composition laminated is graphited on the terial -such as wax, the sheet material and wax bottom side and is placed directly on the zinc or being assembled in superposed relation withvthe copper etching 9 and the type 8, the laminated 20 wax sheets interposed between the layers of sheet body being designated by the reference characmaterial. p ter I0 in the several iigures of the drawings. A 'I'hese and further objects of the invention will layer of untreated cloth or paper II is placed become more apparent from a consideration of over the composite material and a resilient sheet the accompanying drawings constituting a part material such as rubber I2 constitutes the final. 25 hereof in which like reference characters desiglayer of the assembled element upon which an' nate like parts and in which: upper platen I3 is placed." The layer I I prevents Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating the tearing of the wax surface by the latter motion of composite matrix in greatly exaggerated'form; rubber sheet I 2 when subjected to pressure. The

:lo Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a pair of assembled structure is then disposed between a 30 pressure platens having the etching, the type, pair of pressure platens of an hydraulic press to the matrix and other necessary elements disposed subject the composite matrix to pressure which therebetween and illustrating one step in the causes the bottom layer I of waxto be pressed process of making imprints in the composite into the cavities of the etching and type as-shown matrices from which the electro-type are to be in the enlarged views of Figures 4 and 5 of the 35 made; drawings.

Figure 3 a similar View of a somewhat different The material may be preheated before placing combination of elements particularly for pressin the press or it may be pressed at room teming and locking the matrix and a supporting lead perature. The pressure platens of the hydraulic plate together; press may if desired be heated by employing gas 40 Figure 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the burners or steam coils in the conventional manlead plate, the matrix and the etching from ner to render the wax or other plastic material which the impression is made; of the composite laminated structure more plastic Figure 5 a similar view Without the etching; during the pressing operation.

Figure 6 an elevational view illustrating the By utilizing the laminations of fibrous sheet 45 method of making the matrix in a single operamaterial between successive layers of wax, the

tion for electro-type plates; and, wax is prevented from being displaced laterally Figure 7 illustrates a section of the finished and the pressure is rendered more effective to matrix. force the wax into the cavities of the etchings and With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the -printing type to obtain an eiiicient repro- 50 the structure therein illustrated comprises a botduction. tom layer of wax designated by the reference After the pressing operations, the platen I3 is character I, a relatively thick layer of brous removed and the rubber sheeting and the cloth sheet material of high porosity which is coated I2 is stripped off, leaving the composite matrix on its outer surfaces with wax, this layer being as the finished matrix for electro-type plates. 55

In another form of matrix the matrix as formed v Y sequent pressing operation as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

The composite wax and lead plate I0 and I5 respectively are shown on the etching 9 in Figure 4 of the drawings, after the pressing operation, and in Figure 5 Vthe wax matrix I0 and lead support I5 are shown after removal from the etching. Both ofthe figures illustrate the lead supported matrix as produced by two pressing operations. It will be noted in Figures 4 and 5 that a space II remains betweenthe material I0 which has been pressed into the etching, and the .lead plate I5. However, the lead plate I5 is sufficiently displaced into the hollowness of the material I0 to interlock the joined layers and prevent distortion.

The bottom surface I8 of Figure 5 illustrates the matrix surface on which an electro-deposit is made to form the electro-type plates and surface I8 is rendered electrically conductive by coating it with graphite flakes or copper flakes in the conventional manner. Y

.With reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, Figure 6 illustrates a method of forming the matrix with a sheet lead support in a single pressing operation as distinguished from the two step method employed in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, resulting in the product shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

As shown in Figure 6, the supporting block and printing type I and B are assembled in the retaining frame 5 as heretofore described and suitably prepared wax material I0 is disposed on the surface of the etching S'and the printing type.

Instead of employing an intermediate layer of untreated material, as the sheet II in Figure 2 of the drawings, the lead plate I5 is placed -directly on the sheet material III and the sheet rubber material I2 is disposed on the plate I5. The top pressure platen I3 is then placed on the rubber sheet and vthe assembled structure is disposed between a pair of pressure platens of a press whereupon the application of pressure on the composite material I0 and its supporting lead sheet plate .I5 is displaced in the manner shown in Figure 7 of the drawings to form the imprint on the bottom surface of the composite body.

It will be noted in contrast with'the matrices shown in Figures 4 and 5, that the sheet lead in Figure 7 has substantially filled the space I1 of Figure 5, thereby producing a more effective inner lock of the matrix and the lead support.

The adhesive nature of the wax with which the supporting lead sheet intimately contacts also aids in holding these parts together as the upper surface of the wax is not graphitized orcoated to prevent adherence as is the lower surface which constitutes the matrix surface on which the galvanoplastic material is deposited.

The edge of the iinished matrices are insulated with wax as shown at 20, this insulation'being produced by dipping the nished sheets in wax.

The matrix is then suspended in an electrolytic solution and the metal mold for the electro-type plate is deposited thereon by galvano-pla'stic pIOCeSS.

the remaining sheets of material and is of a .sheet 2, the top layer of the material maybe coated with graphite which is partly removed to cause adherence of the lead'sheet I5.

' Where the matrix is joined with porous paper, the paper may beimpregnated with a lacquer solution before coating it with wax.y Such treatment will prevent the papers from swelling without interfering with its porous quality.`

When the matrix surface is rendered conductive with or by dry methods, alcohol is sprayed with a spray gun on the surface before submerging it into the electrolytic solution.

It is evident from the foregoing description of this invention thatcomposite wax and fibrous sheet material matrices made in accordance therewith provide simple and eiicient means for making matrices for electro-type plates with a minimum amount of time and labor and in an inexpensive manner.

The composite matrix material can be made in large quantities by passing -the sheet material from rolls through treating tanks to either impregnate or coat the sheet material as desired and then passing such treated material in proper assembled positions to suitable air treating towers.

The sheet wax material can be disposed be tween the layers of the treatingl material as it is passing out of the treating equipment and the f assembled structures can be rendered compact comprising a laminated structure. of relatively thin fibrous sheet material, some of which have been impregnated swith plastic `material and others of which having their surfaces coated with plastic material, and layers of plastic material disposed between -layers of said treating materials.

4. A composite matrix for electro-type plates comprising a laminated structure having a bottom layer of plastic material rendered electrically conductive, a second layer of relatively thick brous sheet material of a highly porous character having its outer surfaces coated with plastic material, and alternate layers of plastic material and relatively thin fibrous sheet material impregnated with plastic material assembled in superposed relation on said first named layers, and allof said layers being joined to constitute a unitary structure. y

. GUNNAR ROSENQVIST. 

